Stepladder



Dec. 15, 19-31. 6 M- 1,836,163

STEPLADDER Filed June 26, 1950 2 Sheets-Shgc 1 Dec. 15, 1931'. G w, GOOD v 1,836,163

' STEPLADDER Filed June 26, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 til Patented Dec. 15, 1931 {UNITED STA GEORGE W. GOODE, OF WELLINGTON, TEXAS s'rErLAnnnn Applicationfiled June 26,

This invention has for its, object the pro duction of a very strong and durable step ladder and the provision of means whereby the ladder may be extended to permit the user to reach a greater height. The inven- 7 tion also includes means whereby the extension will be firmly supported in its operative position and, when lowered will be so disposed that it will not interfere in any way with the usual use of the ladder. These stated objects, and otherfobject's which will incidentally appear in the course of the following description, are attained in such a device as is illustrated in the accompanying'drawings, and the invention resides in certain novel features which will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a step ladder embodying the present invention and showing it in the extended position,

Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same,

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section showing the ladder in the collapsed condition,

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are enlarged sections taken respectively on the lines 4- 1, 5-5 and 66 of Fig. 2, and V Fig. 7 is a detail view of one of the rests or stops at the lower end of the extension.

In carrying out the present invention, there is provided a platform 1 consisting of a metal plate having deep depending flanges 2 at its several edges and provided with a forward extension 3 in its front flange whereby the extension of the ladder may be accommodated when it is being raised or lowered. In the platform immediately adjacent the flange extension 3 is a slot l which extends parallel with the front side of the platform and is located immediately adjacent the same, this slot 4- providing for the up and down movement of the extension when the same is being adjusted. The platform is secured to and forms a protecting cap for the upper ends of front legs 5 and rear legs 6, the front legs being rigidly secured at theirupper ends to right angle brackets 7 secured to the front flange of the platform at the re 1930. Serial no. 464.066.

spective'cornersof the same whereby the legs will be firmly held in the desired position. These legs are formed of angle bars, as will be understood upon reference to Fig. 1, and the steps or rungs 8 of'the ladder are also formed of angle bars disposed against the inner or rear sides of the legs and secured thereto by welding so that a very rigid strong structure is attained. The rear legs 6 are also formed of angle bars and connectedb'y braces 9 disposed in any desired relation and have their upper ends pivoted to right angle'brackets 10 secured to the inner sides of the rear flanges of the platform. It will thus be seen, that the rear legs may be folded toward the front legs, as shown in Fig. 3, when the ladderis not in use and the ladder may, therefore, be stored within a small space, When the ladder is in use, pivoted links 11 are moved into alinement so as to resist collapse of the ladder and these links are arranged in pairs, the members of each pair being pivoted together at their meeting ends and provided withstop shoulders in a well known manner and being pivoted attheir outer ends to the front and the rear legs respectively.

An extension is provided consisting of parallel angle bars 12 forming side members or extension legs passing through the slot 4 in the platform and normally resting within the angles of the front legs 5, as indicated in Fig. 3. These side members 12 are connected by steps or rungs 13which are also formed of angle bars and are welded to the side bars as will be understood. The steps 13 are spaced apart in the same manner as the steps 8 are spaced apart so that when the ladder is collapsed or theextension is not in use, the steps of the extension will aline with the steps of the main legs, as shown in Fig. 3;, and the ladder may then be used just as though the extension were not present. Neartheir upper ends. the side members 12 are provided with openings 14 in their transverse webs and these openings receive the hooked terminals 15 of locking bars 16 which bars are pivoted to the rear legs 6 of the ladderand when the ladder is not in use may eaclr hang in a pendent position within the angleof the respective leg 6-. The locking bars are connected by a cross brace 17 so as to resist spreading and when they are to be brought into operative position they are swung upwardly and the extension is slid upward through the slot 4 to such a height that the hooked terminals 15 may pass through the slots 14, whereupon the extension may be lowered slightly so that the webs of the side members 12 immediately above the slots will engage behind the extremities of the hooks and rest on the shoulders of the same, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. To further support the extension in its operative position, brackets 18 are secured to the lower ends of the side rails 12 and said brackets have their lower ends so formed as to define a shoulder 19 adapted to rest upon the upper step 8 and :1 depending tooth or lug 20 which is adapted to engage behind said step 8 whereby the extension will be firmly supported and will be held against forward rocking movement. lVhen the extension is lowered, the brackets 18 will rest upon the lowest step 8 and when the extension is to be raised it is first lifted sufiiciently to permit the tooth or lug 20 to clear the step 8 and is then rocked forward to bring the brackets 18 in front of the series of steps 8 so that there will be no interference with the continued upward movement of the extension.

hen the extension is in its operative position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it will be firmly supported by the engagement of the brackets 18 with the uppermost step 8 and by the locking bars 16 which are engaged with the 1 upper portion of the extension, and downward movement under the weight of the user will be positively resisted and, barring accidents, cannot occur. The ladder is very compact and may be easily set up for use wherever desired. The moving parts are minimized in number and are simple in construction so that there is nothing to get out of order and the ladder will always be available for use.

Having thus described the invention, I claim: 1

1. A step ladder comprising a platform, legs attached to the platform to support the same, steps secured to and extending between the front legs, said front legs consisting of angle bars and the platform having a slot adjacent its front side alined with said front legs, an extension comprising steps and side members adapted to rest within the angle bars forming the front legs, the steps being secured to and extending between said side members and the side members being movable through the slot in the platform, means on the rear legs to support the extension in extended position, and brackets at the lower ends of the extension adapted to rest upon a step on the front legs and having lugs to engage behind said step.

2. A step ladder comprising a platform, front and rear legs attached to the platform to support the same, the platform having a slot adjacent its front edge alined with the front legs, an extension comprising side members of angle bars adapted to rest upon the front legs and movable along the same through the slot in the platform, steps secured to'and extending between said side members, said side members being provided with openings through their transverse webs near their upper ends, and locking bars pivoted to the rear legs and having their free ends formed into hooks adapted to extend through the openings in the side members of the extension and engage said members whereby to support the extension in its raised position.

3. A step ladder comprising a platform having an opening, front legs secured to the platform, steps on the front legs, rear legs pivoted to the platform, an extension consisting of side members and steps secured to and extending between said side members, said extension being movable along the front legs and through the opening in the platform to a position above the platform and adapted to rest within the front legs, means to support the extension in raised position from the rear legs, and stops on the side members of the extension adapted to engage and rest upon the steps of the front legs.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

GEORGE w. GOODE. 1,. 8. 

